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Bose QuietComfort 20 vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

BoseQuietComfort 20BoseQuietComfort Earbuds
Overview
Released2013September 2024
Sound
TypeIn-earIn-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Bluetooth codecsNone (wired)SBC and AAC
Noise cancelling detailA microphone inside and outside each earbud feeds the noise-cancelling processor in the in-line module; Aware mode lets more surrounding sound through without stopping musicQuiet mode (full noise cancelling) and Aware mode; noise cancelling adjustable or off in the Bose QCE app; six microphones in total (three per earbud) for noise cancelling and voice pickup
Audio featuresBose TriPort acoustic ports and Active EQ processing when poweredFive-band adjustable EQ in the Bose QCE app; Low Latency Audio mode for games and video
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 16 hoursUp to 8.5 hours
With the case–Up to 30 hours
Wireless charging–Yes
Battery life detailBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the in-line module; around 16 hours from a two-hour USB charge; wired audio remains available with the power offTested by Bose at 75 dB SPL in Quiet mode (full noise cancelling); the case holds 2.5 full charges, which the owner's guide gives as up to 30 hours in total (Bose UK's product page says 31.5 hours, and its footnote gives 9 hours per charge)
Charging case–USB-C and Qi wireless charging; earbuds charge in up to 1.5 hours, the case in up to 2 hours
Fast charging–20 minutes of charging gives up to 3 hours of playback
Design
Weight (each earbud)–10.9 g
Water and sweat resistance–IPX4
Bluetooth–5.3
Two devices at once–Yes
Headphone cableYes–
ControlsPower switch and status lights on the battery module; Aware mode and call controls on the cable remoteTouch surface on each earbud (tap to play or pause, double-tap to skip forward, triple-tap to skip back; volume and noise cancelling controls); single, double and triple taps and press-and-hold are customisable in the app; "Hey headphones" voice commands through the Bose QCE app, including answering calls and Remote Selfie; in-ear detection pauses audio when an earbud is removed and can answer calls
MicrophonesTwo microphones per earbud for noise cancellation; an in-line microphone for callsThree microphones per earbud; adaptive microphone system for calls with adjustable self-voice (sidetone)
Fit and ear tipsStayHear+ tips rest at the entrance to the ear canal and come in three sizesEartips and stability bands in small, medium and large; eartips interchangeable with the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds; either earbud can be used on its own
Case weight–0.104 lb (about 47 g) on Bose UK's spec table
Water resistance detail–IPX4 for the earbuds; Bose says resistance might decrease with normal wear
Works with3.5 mm wired connection; QC20 has a single-button remote for most Android and other smartphones, while the contemporaneous QC20i has an Apple-compatible three-button remoteBose QCE app for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; can connect to Bose soundbars and speakers with SimpleSync, though Bose says it isn't fully optimised; no Snapdragon Sound
ColoursGrey at launch; Black and White variants followed in 2015Black, White Smoke and Chilled Lilac at launch; Bose UK now also sells Dewdrop Mint
In the boxEarbuds, three sizes of StayHear+ tips, clothing clip, USB charging cable and carrying caseEarbuds, charging case, USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C, 30 cm), Fit Kit with small, medium and large eartips and stability bands, safety sheet

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